The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1887-11-09

- "a. y. T. ~ -
time. Then the good woman, unable
to bear the suspense, mustered up
courage and renewed the Conversations
"Well, Rube. air ye goin to tell me !
what that idee Of your'n isa''a ID
"Mebbe, ''said Rube, with tantallz-l
ing air Of indifference.
"What it any way, much. impor-
lance to us?" =
Perhaps it is, and mebbe it isn't"
replied RUDE. "But Ireckon I'd best
not tell We an make it a surprise like. "
~ Now / want to know-a surprised
and Mrs. Reddick wondered what the
surprise would be- In few days her
fortieth birthday would be at hand.
Fan he intends to make me nice
present." she thought, a smile fitting
over her handsome features. Mrs.
Reddick was still handsome woman.
2."All right, Rube," said she, arising
to prepare the supper.
After supper Mr. Reddick said he
would go towards town as he had some
business to transact, and thatshe might
sit up and await his return. if she
wished, adding that he would be pleased
to have her do so, as he intended to be
away but an hour.
II do wonder what he intends to
surprise me WITH" Mrs. Reddick asked
herself over and over again. u ~
Poor RUDE, he's always tryin' some
new scheme or other, an I'm sure he
does it to benefit me as we'll as HIM
SELF" she reasoned. looking vacantly
out the kitchen window.
Thus she occupied her mind while
tidying up things generally, and ST. alb
sent-minded was she an hour afterward
that she never heard the roll of car
riage wheels up the drive, nor the foot
steps on the gravel walk until the We
randall was reached.
Rube had returned, and with him was
little child.
He hesitated before opening the door,
holding the trembling orphan by the
hand. -. AEM
"What'll Mandy say" he thought,
and looking down upon the sweet face
before him, he resolved to 'face the
music" and have it over with.
He felt the child's hand tremble and
babe her have no fears, that, he had
brought her to nice home where she
would have new papa and mamms
and lots of good things. ( 5BE5,5
They entered the little parlor. when
Mrs Reddick turned and discovered
them. For moment she was speech
less.
I "Rube! what in all creation doel
this mean?" she asked, looking from
one to the other with dilated eyes. d.
lit means. Mandy" he replied
"that hev brought ye this poor little
orphan, an we Il adopt her, an"
'.Never! sir, nevcr!'
Mrs. Reddick was one of thos'
women who, not having the blessing
of little ones conferred upon them
seem to hate the very sight of others
children.
"Never, Rube; couldn't do it." sh,
repeated in a husky voice. the tear
ready to flow at sight of the pleading
, face before her.
MANDY" said Rube, softly, ''re
member what Jesus said"
II know, Rube; but l can't take
mothers place. Eff it wuz a boy,
mightn't mind it so much"
, boy! tut TUT" exclaimed the big
hearted man. beginning to feel hope
full. "Why, Mandy, boys is no accoun
, any way you take 'em. Soon's they'r
growed up they start off an leave tn
, ole folks to shift for themselves. Nc
so with the gals. This is right smal
Z. little critter, SO they tell me at tn
poor-house."
| The little orphan felt she was nc
{ wanted there and the thought gave he
pain. She looked up in Mr.. Reddick'
face and burst into fit of weeping.
+ Mile Morewin, or Little Mile
= as she was called at the poor-hous'
D was left an orphan four years previou
\ to the opening of our story. She ha